Theological/philosophical/cultural/spiritual thoughts about God and the Real Jesus.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Bridge the Gap

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Monroe County, Michigan

A year and a half ago one of my molars that had a gold crown on it cracked. It had to be extracted. My oral surgeon talked with me about options. I could get a "bridge," which would bridge the gap my lost tooth once occupied. Or, I could get a dental implant for around $3000. Or I could do nothing.

I chose to do nothing, use the money in other ways, and live with the gap. For the past year and a half I've been doing fine.

One reason I chose to do nothing was: I am 62 years old. There comes a point, in my mind, that unless I need a medical procedure that can extend my life with a continuing quality of life and effectiveness in ministry, I probably will not have it done. Of course I'll face each situation individually as it arises. But, as the apostle Paul once wrote, the human body wastes away. My purpose in life is not to spend money on my body to enhance its cosmetic appearance.

Life's purpose, for Jesus-followers, is contained in these words of Paul:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

The continual expenditure of time and money for the sake of propping up one's wasting-away body is a heart-losing venture. Invest instead in spirit-renewing activity. Beauty of spirit shines brighter and is more influential than a perfect set of teeth. The tooth that was mine was only temporary. And either it or something like it will be restored in the age to come, in the restoration of earth and heaven.